Looking that little bit more gorgeous can make a whole lot of difference. And where better to start than your skin?
These easy secrets give your skin the boost it needs to give you that radiant glow you’ve been coveting.
1 Double up your blush
Make gel your friend
So many people skip the addition of blush, thinking it doesn’t do much. Trust us, it does. Nothing perks up your face faster than a sweep of colour across your cheeks. The problem is, by the end of the day most of it has slid right off. For blush with staying power, it pays to layer up. Start by applying one of the new breed of gel-like blushes to your cheeks straight after your skincare. Next, apply your usual base and blush over the top. The gel blush will adhere better to your skin and give an inner glow, which the powder blush will accentuate.
Try these gel varieties under your foundation:
Maybelline New York Baby Lips Balm and Blush, $10: Great for giving cheeks a hint of colour and can be used on lips too.
Bourjois 12 hour Aqua Blush, $28: Sorbet shades give a radiant, sheer and fresh colour.
YSL Beauty Fusion Ink Blush, $65: Gives a great natural-looking flush.
2 First line of defence
Bodyguards for your face
There seems to be a long list of hazards from which to protect your face – not least the sun’s harmful rays. Aside from applying sunscreen every day, how else can we shield skin from the environmental factors that accelerate ageing? Well, the answer is simpler than you thought. Invest in products that fight pollution and free radicals. And, of course, don’t stop using that sunscreen.
Try:
Dior One Essential City Defense serum, $125: With powerful UVA and UVB filters, this solution offers anti-pollution protection against everyday toxins, for up to eight hours. Elizabeth Arden Prevage City Smart Hydrating Shield, $110: This contains anti-pollution shield technology and its patent-pending anti-pollution complex features powerful antioxidant idebenone as its star ingredient. Nimue Barrier Cream, $24: Working to block out aggressors like pollution while locking in moisture. Kiehl’s Cilantro & Orange Extract Pollutant Defending Masque, $65: Use this once a week to not only renew the skin, but also protect it from daily aggressors.
3 Add actives
Future proof your skin
Essences are the buzzword in skincare right now – and for good reason. The watery looking concoctions deliver a whole host of skin benefits because they are packed with ingredients such as skin-plumping hyaluronic acid, micronutrients and brightening enzymes. It may seem like yet another step in your beauty regime, but consider this one-minute addition an investment in your future complexion.
Try:
Origins A Perfect World Age-Defense Treatment Lotion With White Tea, $42: Silver Tip white tea and trehalose (a sugar found in plants) hydrate and defend the skin. Trilogy Hydra-Tone Softening lotion, $40: White tea works to deliver antioxidant protection while mulberry helps to brighten the skin. Estée Lauder Micro Essence Skin Activating Treatment Lotion, $120: Its unique micro blend works to activate and strengthen the skin, with glowing results.
4 Gadget time
Our firming favourite
While you might think beauty gadgets are unnecessary, some are worth considering. Our pick? Clinique’s Sonic System Massaging Treatment Applicator, $37 (applicator only), pictured above. If you already have Clinique’s cleansing brush you’re in luck because the massage head also clips onto the applicator. Use it to massage skin-firming formulas into your skin. Not only will the massage action boost micro-circulation to help leave your complexion glowing, the cool feel of the metal applicator will refresh the skin on contact.
For best results, try the following:
Clinique Sculptwear Lift and Contour Serum for Face and Neck, $114 for 30ml. Clinique Sculptwear Contouring Massage Cream Mask, $100 for 50ml.
5 School up
Key word: Niacinamide
Niacinamide has been in quite a few anti-ageing skincare products for a while now because of its amazing brightening powers. As well as fading dark spots, this ingredient can help to smooth wrinkles, strengthen the skin’s barrier and help to regulate oil production. In short, it’s a great anti-ager for all skin types.
Try:
Environ Evenescence Clarifying Lotion, $96: Perfect for evening the skin tone and clarifying sun-damaged skin. Aspect Dr Multi B Plus Serum, $130: It hydrates, brightens, calms and firms the skin. Osmosis Calm Serum, $141: This one will calm redness, minimise capillaries and normalise oil while also hydrating, firming and protecting the skin.
